All benches fenced off at Thames locks for ‘public safety’

Red tape crisscrossing over wooden benches placed along the Thames path through Iffley Lock appeared over the weekend, alongside signs warning of safety issues.

Notices put up through the Oxford lock on the River Thames said: “Please do not use the benches; danger of falling branches.”

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The Environment Agency confirmed today, Monday, July 27, that the the restriction is not limited to Oxfordshire, but that all benches on the non-tidal Thames have been fenced off for public safety.

Benches at Iffley Lock have been fenced off with red tape due to the ‘public safety’ risk (Image: Supplied)

The agency said it comes after a tree branch fell at one of its sites, and the risk for other tree limbs to suddenly drop remains high during the hot, dry weather in the south of England.

An Oxford resident in her early 20s, who did not want to be named, said: “I was shocked to see all of the benches blocked off using plastic tape.

“I wanted to sit down by the river after a walk but found this was not possible, and I wondered why and saw the sign about the danger of branches.

“But these are overhanging the entire path so I’m not sure why sitting down is more dangerous.

“It seems a bit ridiculous.”

Benches at Iffley Lock have been fenced off with red tape due to the ‘public safety’ risk (Image: Supplied)

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The non-tidal Thames stretches from the source in Gloucestershire to Teddington Lock in London, encompassing 45 locks including 14 in Oxfordshire.

According to the agency, the benches at all of the locks which have them are not currently open for use.

Benches at Iffley Lock have been fenced off with red tape due to the ‘public safety’ risk (Image: Supplied)

An Environment Agency spokesman said: “For the safety of the general public and our staff, we took the difficult decision to restrict access to all public benches at locks along the non-tidal River Thames, after a large branch fell from a tree at one of our operational sites.

“In periods of prolonged dry weather, trees can shed branches with little warning, in what is known as sudden limb drop.

 “We are considering how best to keep these areas safe, and may require some benches to be relocated so they are not under overhanging trees.”

It is the latest effect of the prolonged period of hot, dry weather which has affected the major river in recent weeks.

Benches at Iffley Lock have been fenced off with red tape due to the ‘public safety’ risk (Image: Supplied)

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The Environment Agency last week announced navigation restrictions for boaters on the waterway between St John’s Lock in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, to Osney Lock in Oxford, from Saturday, July 25.

Passage through the River Thames locks is now restricted to one upstream and one downstream movement every 30 minutes, and overnight lock closures are in place from 6pm until 9.30am.

The agency said at the time: “These temporary measures will help retain water within the system, support navigation where possible and safeguard essential drinking water supplies for the communities that rely upon them.”